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Kiwi fans adapt for the boys in black

Nearly half of those watching live matches will be waking up just in time for the haka

Only 10% will be staying up all night to catch a game

Two thirds of New Zealand will be cheering on their team with a cup of tea or coffee

Regardless of the time, a third of Kiwis will be fueling their excitement with bacon and eggs

Pyjamas are the dress code for a third of fans this tournament

What a difference four years and a hemisphere can make; New Zealand fans will be waiting until the last moment, tucking into a kiwi fry-up and watching games in their pyjamas.

The rugby tournament may be 11,000kms from our shores, but Kiwis are once again proving that they are an unquestionably devoted nation. The 12-hour time difference and lack of sleep won’t stop us cheering on our boys in black.

However, fans will be squeezing in every last second of sleep before kick-off according to a recent PAK’nSAVE survey. Forty nine per cent of respondents will be using the haka as a wake-up call rather than setting the alarm for the pre-match banter. Employers across New Zealand have been mindful of productivity during the tournament, but only 10% of those surveyed planned to stay up all night and 27% plan to watch full games delayed at a more convenient time.

When the nation does manage to get itself out of bed, it won’t be with a wine or pint glass in our hand. Seventy per cent of Kiwis will be reaching for a good old cup of tea or coffee to see them through the game. Only 14% of those surveyed will be cheering on their team with a beer or wine.

To feed our stomachs and fuel our excitement, almost a third of New Zealand sports fans will be enjoying a Kiwi fry-up of bacon and eggs, closely followed by toast (29%) or classic chips and dip (27%).

Commenting on the national survey, Chris Quin, CEO, Foodstuffs North Island said, “This tournament is close to the heart of so many New Zealanders. Four years ago the country was alight with excitement and national pride. It’s great to see that 11,000km and a 12-hour time difference is bringing out the best in our rugby fanatics and we are all adapting to support our boys. “

“Apart from the first game between Argentina and New Zealand, I am leaning towards delayed coverage, but I will be setting the alarm when we go to the quarter finals and beyond.”

Unsurprisingly the PAK’nSAVE survey confirmed New Zealand really is home to some of the world’s biggest rugby union fans. Forty nine per cent of respondents claimed to be either ‘rugby obsessed’ or a ‘rugby fan’ and will definitely be watching as many games as possible. Another 11% will become ‘tournament experts’; those who will be fanatical for the duration of the competition.

“Of course there is always people that take a different view and that is part what makes New Zealand such a great place. Seven per cent of those we spoke to claimed to be ‘rugby opposed’ and excited for the tournament to end. There is a growing suspicion this group are in fact England fans,” said Chris.

One benefit of the time difference is there is no need to try to dress to impress this tournament. Thirty two per cent of respondents planned to watch games in their pyjamas, followed by dressing gown and slippers (17%), an official team rugby jersey (15%), a duvet (11%), whatever they could find at the hour of the morning (11%), anything in team colours (9%), work or school clothes (3%) or a lucky outfit (2%).

As a result of the survey, PAK’nSAVE’s around the country have ensured that tea, coffee and breakfast foods are well stocked and readily available for all avid rugby fans.

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Rugby Survey Summary

Survey: PAK'nSAVE Rugby

1. With the rugby games on early in the morning this year, how will you be keeping up with the games important to you? Are you…

Value

Percent

Count

Watching full games live

25.5%

302

Watching full games delayed

26.6%

316

Listening live on the radio

3.0%

36

Only catching the highlights or results afterwards

32.1%

381

Not watching/ not interested

12.7%

151

Total

1,186

2. What’s your pre-game strategy to watch those early morning games?

Value

Percent

Count

Pull an all-nighter

10.5%

32

Set the alarm clock well before kick-off to get ready

37.2%

113

Squeeze in as much sleep as possible and wake up just in time for the haka

48.7%

148

Doze through it mostly, but keep updated for the important bits

2.6%

8

Get up at half time

1.0%

3

Total

304

3. And where are you watching the games live? (Selected Live in Q2)

Value

Percent

Count

At home on TV

78.2%

237

In bed

14.2%

43

Someone else’s house e.g. friends or family

3.3%

10

At work

2.0%

6

At a pub/bar or café

2.3%

7

Somewhere else (specify)

0.0%

0

Total

303

4. When are you catching up with the games? (Selected Delayed in Q2)

Value

Percent

Count

An hour or so after kick-off that morning

6.6%

21

The same morning

28.7%

91

That day

40.1%

127

That night

15.5%

49

The next day or so

9.2%

29

Total

317

5. What kind of food & drink will you have while watching the games at home? (Multichoice, Selected Live in Q2)

Value

Percent

Count

Tea or coffee – can’t function without it that early in the morning

70.3%

213

Beer or wine – regardless of the time, it’s a celebration

14.2%

43

Fresh juice or other cold drinks – got to keep hydrated

28.1%

85

Something else?

6.3%

19

Cooked Kiwi fry-up of bacon & eggs – breakfast of champions!

29.7%

90

Baked beans or spaghetti all the way

6.3%

19

Porridge for me

7.6%

23

Weetbix – If Richie can eat 12 weetbix, so can I!

13.9%

42

Other cereals

11.9%

36

Toast

29.0%

88

Continental breakfast – a little bit fancy

3.0%

9

Snacks for me - classic kiwi chips and dip all the way

27.1%

82

Total

303

6. What will you be wearing to watch the games? (Selected Live Q2)

Value

Percent

Count

My team’s official rugby jersey

14.9%

45

Anything in my team colours

8.9%

27

Lucky outfit e.g. socks, undies, t-shirt

2.3%

7

Dressing gown & slippers

16.6%

50

Pyjamas

32.1%

97

My duvet

10.9%

33

Work or school clothes

3.0%

9

Just whatever I can find at that hour

11.3%

34

Total

302

7. What kind of rugby fanatic are you?

Value

Percent

Count

Rugby obsessed - I counted down the days till the cup for months!

7.3%

86

Rugby fan - I’ll definitely be watching as many games as I can for sure

41.5%

492

Tournament expert - I turn into a rugby fanatic during the cup, but otherwise I’m not fussed

10.5%

124

Rugby tolerator - I’ll watch a few games, but mostly so I know what everyone will be talking about

34.0%

403

Rugby opposed - Rugby fan? No thank you. I can’t wait for it to be over!